English expression
Red tape
Meaning
Official rules and procedures that seem unnecessarily complicated and cause delays.
In a sentence
The small arts group struggled with red tape when applying for a venue permit.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
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THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
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English expression
Read someone like a book
Meaning
Understand easily what someone is thinking or feeling.
In a sentence
My sister can read me like a book when I’m excited about a surprise.
English expression
Rack your brains
Meaning
Think very hard, often while trying to remember something or find an answer.
In a sentence
I racked my brains but couldn’t remember where I had put the spare key.
English expression
Put someone’s mind at rest
Meaning
Give someone reassurance that helps them stop worrying.
In a sentence
The booking confirmation put my mind at rest.
English expression
Put down roots
Meaning
Settle into a place and build connections that make it feel like home.
In a sentence
After years of moving, we were ready to put down roots in one town.
English expression
Put your heads together
Meaning
Share ideas and think together to plan something or solve a problem.
In a sentence
Let’s put our heads together and find a more practical timetable.
English expression
Put a brave face on
Meaning
Appear calm or cheerful about a problem despite feeling worried or upset.
In a sentence
He put a brave face on the cancellation, though he had been looking forward to the trip.
English expression
Pull yourself together
Meaning
Regain control of your emotions or actions after being upset.
In a sentence
I took a quiet minute to pull myself together before returning to the room.
English expression
Poke your nose into
Meaning
Try to find out about matters that do not concern you.
In a sentence
I don’t want to poke my nose into your private plans.
English expression
Point the finger
Meaning
Accuse someone of being responsible for something bad.
In a sentence
Let’s check the records before we point the finger at anyone.
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